Week ending 26th February

We were delighted to receive a letter from Nick Gibb congratulating us on being one of the top 100 non-selective state-funded schools. Please do read the letter attached to the recent ParentMail or on our website. We were genuinely thrilled, as it truly reflects all the hard work and commitment of everyone in the Chesterton community: students, staff, parents and governors. Well done everyone!

This week finished with our Honours Board Celebration Event, where we recognise the achievements of students across years and subjects. Student names are placed on our Honours Boards and parents come to join us to celebrate this achievement.

It has been a thrilling week for Drama with outstanding performances of Brecht, Shakespeare and an original text created by Suzy Marston for the GCSE examined performances. The work was outstanding and audiences were gripped. Incredibly well done to everyone involved.

Our in-house catering team, led by Spencer Norman, is also celebrating this week after an unannounced inspection from the local environmental health officer. The kitchen achieved the maximum 5 star award and the officer said it was one of the best run school kitchens (in terms of safety, food protection and hygiene) that he had seen for a long time. Well done to the team and we all appreciate how great the food is too!

We were very pleased this week, to announce the first ‘Sporting Champions’ at Chesterton! The Sporting Champions award recognises students who achieve high standards in at least two of the following four areas: outstanding achievement in physical education lessons; outstanding attitude in physical education and sport; outstanding achievement in sport and outstanding commitment to extra-curricular sport at Chesterton.

For Year 7: Daniel Medd – Achievement in all four areas, including being part of the Norwich City Football Academy. Mia Mathur – Achievement in all four areas, including representing the county cross country team.

For Year 8: Iraide Pace Alberti – Achievement in all four areas, including representing Cambridge Hockey Club. Sam Myers – Achievement in all four areas, including representing Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club.

For Year 9: Mohammed Al Haad – Achievement in all four areas, including outstanding commitment to a number of clubs at Chesterton. Rebecca Brettel – Achievement in all four areas, including outstanding commitment to a number of clubs at Chesterton.

For Year 10: AJ Torio – Achievement in three areas, including outstanding sports leadership in our local primary schools. Christian Kielinger – Achievement in three areas, including participation in a high standard of triathlon competitions.

For Year 11: Hannah Parkinson – Achievement in all three areas, including outstanding commitment to a number of clubs at Chesterton – most notably netball. Bishr Abdallah – Achievement in all three areas, including outstanding commitment to a number of clubs at Chesterton – most notably basketball.

Badminton and table tennis teams from Chesterton competed this week, in the latest round of the Cambridgeshire school games league. This is a multi-sport league which takes place throughout the year. Of the 20 participating schools, Chesterton is currently in the lead!

Year 7 had Wicked Wednesday on the theme of politics and democracy this week. Students learned how the Houses of Parliament work and how democracy gives everyone a say in the running of the country. Students used a computer simulation and a board game to learn about running the country. Many students said the highlight was a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament (in the school hall) with teachers playing the roles of Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Speaker and other key characters to explain the purpose of the House of Commons.

Don’t forget the PTA quiz evening in two weeks’ time: Chesterton Calling, Friday 11 March, 7 – 10:30pm. This music quiz will include: genres from the 70’s to the present, musicals and classical too. There will also be a round featuring chocolate that is being made especially for the event by Chocolat Chocolat, the independent chocolate boutique in Cambridge. There are also a couple of other fun games with prizes too. Admission fees are £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for students. This includes a cheese and biscuits platter. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available from the bar during the evening. Parents can sign up via ParentPay, otherwise contact Jo Tunmer requesting tickets.

On Thursday our Director of eLearning and our ICT Manager (Richard Kirkby and Gary Harper) both received ThinkUKnow accreditation from CEOP (a part of the National Crime Agency) to deliver online safety education. They will use this to add to our excellent ESafety curriculum.